Resumo

AZNIELLE RODRIGUEZ, Tania et al. Inertial Measurement Units: a promising alternative in gait assessment. EAC [online]. 2023, vol.44, n.3, pp. 1-15.  Epub 01-Fev-2024. ISSN 1815-5928.

The analysis of gait patterns allows the evaluation of physical performance across different ages, as they are predictors of the risk of falls and of cognitive decline in older adults. Although the clinical evaluation is usually carried out in specialized laboratories, it is increasing popular the use of Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), which are portable devices that enable the ambulatory recording of gait patterns.

In this study we evaluated two IMU to select the one with better performance, according to its technical specifications, robustness in data transmission and the ease of assembly and use. An algorithm for detecting gait events in the patterns recorded was implemented in Matlab, by integrating the vertical accelerometry signals and its double derivation using the Gaussian continuous wavelet transform. 16 spatio-temporal parameters (STGF) were calculated from these events. An exploratory experiment was conducted to compare the values of a set of STGF between the IMU BITalino RIoT, chosen for its best performance in the evaluated aspects, and the commercial system BTS-GWalk, which is considered as the gold standard for the test.

The STGF values obtained with both devices were significantly correlated, with a Pearson correlation coefficient between 0,7218 and 0,9986. This indicates that the selected IMU allows the recording and assessment of gait on an outpatient basis with satisfactory results, which constitutes a starting point in searching for biomarkers to predict cognitive impairment based on gait.

Palavras-chave : Gait patterns; inertial measurement units; spatio-temporal gait features; BITalino platform; BTS G-Walk.

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